Broadcast channel transmission method and apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides for a broadcast channel transmission method comprising delivering broadcast channel data as a series of blocks ( 1 - 16 ), each series being provided in a segment ( 1 - 16 ) of the system bandwidth ( 20 ), and distributing the broadcast channel data within each series of blocks ( 1 - 16 ) such that user equipment capable of receiving more than one segment ( 1 - 16 ) receives different blocks from different segments within a time period which is a multiple of the time period (T) for receipt of all blocks within one segment.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A broadcast channel transmission method for a communication system comprising a system bandwidth divided into a number of segments, each segment having a same respective bandwidth, the method comprising:
 delivering broadcast channel data as a respective series of blocks concurrently in each segment of the system bandwidth; and 
 distributing broadcast channel data within each series of blocks such that a user equipment capable of receiving more than one segment receives cumulative broadcast channel data within a time period, each different part of said cumulative broadcast channel data being received in blocks of a different respective segment, 
 wherein a total time period for receipt of said cumulative broadcast channel data within blocks of one segment is a multiple of said time period, and 
 wherein the broadcast channel data is distributed within said each series of blocks such that a user equipment capable of receiving only two adjacent segments of said bandwidth receives each different part of said cumulative broadcast channel data in the blocks of a different respective one of said two adjacent segments before any of different parts of said cumulative broadcast channel data are repeated in either of said two adjacent segments. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , said method transmitting a broadcast channel for UE (User Equipment) handsets having different capabilities,
 wherein the capabilities differ by a factor N in which N=2 P , where p is an integer greater than 0. 
 
     
     
       3. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a broadcast channel is transmitted at a higher rate at a center of the system bandwidth than a rate that is transmitted near a source allocated to a UE (User Equipment) device. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , said method transmitting a broadcast channel, in which a broadcast cycle is divided into 2 P  block types, wherein p is an integer greater than 1 and depends on a UE (User Equipment) handset capability to be supported and a usage of the system bandwidth. 
     
     
       5. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein information included in said blocks comprises broadcast channel data of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) cell. 
     
     
       6. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , said method transmitting a broadcast channel in which a broadcast cycle is divided into 2 P  block types, wherein p is an integer greater than 0 and depends on a UE (User Equipment) handset capability to be supported and a usage of the system bandwidth. 
     
     
       7. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the user equipment capable of receiving said only two adjacent segments of said bandwidth receives all the blocks in two time slots. 
     
     
       8. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the total time period for receipt of said cumulative broadcast channel data within blocks of one segment is twice as long as said time period. 
     
     
       9. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the user equipment capable of receiving said only two adjacent segments of said bandwidth receives all the blocks during a time that is half of the total period.